HE’S missed 11 weeks of football and Billy Paynter remains Hartlepool United’s leading scorer.

The captain and his seven goals should be back in the starting line-up this afternoon as Pools meet Exeter at Victoria Park.

His last appearance came in the FA Cup win over Cheltenham on November 7, his last goal two weeks previous against Crawley.

Pools have missed their dressing room leader, not only on the pitch but off it too.

He travelled to Cambridge last weekend with the squad, never to play, but instead to get involved in the picture once again.

"Will he start? Never say never with Billy,’’ mused Moore. "He's going to be involved sooner or later, it's just a case of when.

"That was the whole idea of taking him down to Cambridge, he knew he wasn't going to be playing.

"The idea was for him to have a training session on the Friday with the lads, warm up with them on Saturday and mix with the players - he is the captain of the team.

"Just his presence alone is important for everyone.

"He knew what the intention was, it wasn't a case of us dragging him down to Cambridge and him thinking he had a chance of playing.

"I'd spoken to him beforehand and he knew he was only going there to train and be part of the build-up.’’

Paynter played for the reserves last week, but sat out the second-string game with Notts County in midweek.

He was expected to start, but Moore felt a solid week of training would be of more benefit.

The manager said: "It's how you train sometimes.

"His training has been good, the only way he's going to get match-fit is to play games.

"It's just about when you think his fitness levels are up to a game.

"Maybe you have to sit him on the bench and give him half an hour.

"But he still has to be physically right to do that.

"I'll be governed a bit by Buster because Billy's been out for that long.

"Why rush him or push him? As I said before if he comes back too early he could get a calf [injury] or something.

"It's judging the right time to bring him back and that's hard."

Pools dropped points last weekend at Cambridge, conceding a 90th minute leveller after being in front through Jake Gray’s strike.

Today’s opponents also got one over Pools late during their meeting this season and Moore said: “Exeter, we lost there last minute and the game at Cambridge last week similar in conceding at the end.

“We allowed them back into it, but played well. The pleasing thing was how well we played and the chances to created as an away team.

“Bring that home and there’s something to build on.

“Look at the players coming back and we are still trying to get players in.

“There’s no need for doom and gloom. Now let’s react in the right way.’’

This afternoon’s opponents are one of the division’s more fancied teams and Moore said: “Exeter took on Liverpool last week, a dip around an FA Cup tie can happen. Look at Derby – since beating us, it’s all gone wrong.

“They had a good result last weekend beating Accrington, we know they come here to play – it won’t be big balls into the box, it will be football, passing the ball. The manager plays the right way.

“Tom Nicholls is a danger, maybe he will have gone by the time the game comes along!

“Stockley alongside him, I tried to get him here. He’s a southern lad, wanted to stay down there.

“Putting chances away is our big thing, we don’t feat anyone and let’s set the tempo of the game.’’